With the holidays approaching, choosing where to spend Christmas can feel overwhelming. Whether you want sun, snow, a cozy hotel or an active ski resort, this list of 29 destinations and properties will help you pick a festive escape that fits your style—family-friendly, romantic, adventurous, or indulgent.
1. Seychelles
Warm and tropical in December, the Seychelles celebrates Christmas with lights, markets, a mayor-led lighting ceremony and local traditions like a recycled-material tree competition. Stay in an intimate beachfront villa for swim-up pools and ocean views.
2. Singapore
Orchard Road transforms into a glittering shopping parade, and Gardens by the Bay stages a dazzling Christmas Wonderland. The city’s nonstop energy, rooftop pools and luxury hotels make it a lively holiday option.
3. Seoul, South Korea
Seoul lights up with seasonal markets, outdoor ice rinks and Gothic churches like Myeongdong Cathedral. Expect modern cultural flair alongside festive events and easy access from central luxury hotels.
4. Montreal, Canada
Snow-dusted streets, charming Christmas markets and hearty winter foods define Montreal’s holiday spirit. Stroll Old Montreal, warm up with maple treats, and enjoy boutique hotels within walking distance of downtown.
5. Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi)
For a storybook Christmas step into Lapland: Santa Claus Village, reindeer safaris, dog-sledding and a chance to see the northern lights offer a truly wintry reset in peaceful, snowy landscapes.
6. Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada
A classic snowy escape with mountain villages, sleigh rides, artisan markets and big resort spas. Seasonal tree lightings and a Festival of Winter Lights add extra cheer to outdoor adventures.
7. Villa Roma, Catskills, New York
An all-inclusive, family-focused resort with ski slopes, tubing runs, ski school and festive programming. Ideal for families who want organized activities and bundled holiday packages.
8. Devil’s Thumb Ranch, Colorado
An eco-luxe ranch in the Rockies offering sleigh rides, cross-country skiing, ice skating and fireside gatherings. Expect outdoor adventure mixed with spa comforts across thousands of acres.
9. Montage Deer Valley, Park City, Utah
A renovated luxury ski resort that kicks off the season with tree lightings, gingerbread displays, ornament workshops and holiday dining, including storytime and special menus on Christmas Eve and Day.
10. North Pole, New York (Adirondacks)
A tiny hamlet that goes all-in on the Santa theme—reindeer barns, a blacksmith, a chapel and visits with Santa make it a playful, family-oriented holiday attraction.
11. North Pole, Alaska
A town that celebrates Christmas year-round and becomes especially festive in winter with Santa’s shops, bazaars and personalized letters from Santa—perfect for kids who love the Arctic vibe.
12. The Resort at Paws Up, Montana
A vast luxury ranch with holiday events like wagon rides, gingerbread contests and sledding plus upscale camping, pampering spa treatments and guided outdoor excursions for an active, rustic Christmas.
13. Fort Collins, Colorado
Old Town is transformed with thousands of LED lights, free ice skating and a seasonal lineup of concerts, caroling and artisan markets—an approachable small-city holiday destination.
14. Chicago, Illinois
From the Botanic Garden’s mile-long Lightscape to Illumination at the Morton Arboretum and Lincoln Park ZooLights, Chicago stages large, immersive light shows and seasonal programming with iconic hotels offering special Santa suites.
15. The Peabody, Memphis
A historic Southern hotel famous for its holiday-bright lobby and the Peabody Duck March. Special brunches, hot chocolate and theatrical seasonal décor make it a warm, fun Christmas choice.
16. Middleton Lodge, Yorkshire, UK
An English estate with cozy, country-house charm, mulled-wine afternoon teas and a traditional Christmas lunch. Gardens, wood-fired comforts and a heated pool complete the Hallmark-style escape.
17. Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle
An opulent 1920s landmark dressed up for the holidays with grand trees and festive decor. The hotel’s glass-enclosed pool offers warm laps and winter sunshine in an elegant setting.
18. Wisconsin (Milwaukee & Lake Geneva)
Milwaukee’s Holiday Lights Festival and Jingle Bus tours combine animated displays and downtown energy, while Lake Geneva’s ice castle and town tree lightings offer family-oriented frozen fun.
19. The Fife Arms, Braemar, Scotland
A dramatic Highland lodge that becomes a social hub at Christmas with reindeer parades, chestnut roasting, tree decorating and traditional Scottish holiday meals in a distinctly convivial setting.
20. Denver, Colorado
A lively urban holiday scene with Denver Zoo Lights, seasonal markets inspired by European Christkindl traditions and outdoor skating—plus neighborhoods full of festive events and local craft shopping.
21. The Berkshires, Massachusetts
Historic inns like the Red Lion Inn decked with dozens of trees, garlands and live music. Nearby estates host Winterlights and immersive sound-and-light shows for an artsy, small-town holiday.
22. The Lodge at Woodloch, Pennsylvania
A destination spa on wooded grounds offering restorative treatments, guided outdoor activities and unique workshops alongside classic caroling and tree-lighting traditions—great for a restorative holiday retreat.
23. Sunriver Resort, Oregon
A family-friendly winter village with sleigh rides, Holiday Glow pool parties, brunch with Santa and multiple dining options. Snow-covered pathways and organized events make it easy and festive.
24. Breckenridge, Colorado
A beloved mountain town with hundreds of thousands of holiday lights, a community tree promenade and top-tier skiing across varied terrain—an ideal mix of town charm and mountain access.
25. Woodstock, Vermont
A postcard-perfect Vermont holiday with an inn that crafts many decorations onsite, a life-size gingerbread house, sleigh rides and nearby farm museums offering seasonal demonstrations and treats.
26. The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, Colorado
A luxurious base for ski-in/ski-out access, holiday tree lightings and family activities like ornament making and snowshoe adventures, paired with top-notch service and mountain views.
27. The Plaza Hotel, New York City
An iconic Manhattan holiday destination made famous by film, offering themed “Home Alone” experiences, extravagant suite decorations, limousine tours and indulgent holiday dining—classic NYC glam for Christmas.
28. Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland
A grand Scottish estate with outdoor sports, an ice rink, thermal pools and an award-winning spa. Traditional country pursuits and luxurious treatments make for an upscale Highland holiday.
29. Claridge’s, London
Timeless elegance in the heart of London, where a designer-decorated Christmas tree, refined afternoon tea and family programs—plus carriage rides and festive dining—create a polished, celebratory atmosphere.
No matter your ideal holiday—tropical beaches, bustling cities, snowy slopes or cozy country houses—this selection offers options for every kind of Christmas getaway. Use this guide to narrow your choices by climate, activities and the level of indulgence you want, then book early to secure seasonal events and special packages.